Newspaper Columns

KM Column - Saving West Malling Doctors Surgery - 23 August 2018

For too long now there has been uncertainty surrounding the future of West Malling Doctor’s Surgery.

Like many of you I was extremely concerned when the Surgery announced at the beginning of the year they would need to shut their doors and find another location. The presence of a doctor’s surgery on West Malling High Street has been part of the community for decades, and none of us wanted to see it go. For many people who don’t drive, or struggle to get public transport, the surgery was in an ideal location, and the thought of having to travel further to seek medical help was worrying.

That is why over the past few months I worked hard to ensure that a doctor’s surgery remained on West Malling High Street. I met with both the Practice and the Patients Participation Group to ensure that I was doing all I could to keep it where it should be, or at the least in another suitable building nearby.

Thankfully, Milverton, the name of the house the Surgery is in today, has now been bought on condition that it is leased back to the practice for their use. That will keep the Surgery on the High Street for many years to come. I am delighted by this news, as I am sure you will be too.

Of course, I know this doesn’t solve all the problems with getting appointments the Surgery still faces. Many people have written to me about this, that’s why I have written to the Practice Manager to raise my concerns at the difficulty for residents to get appointments. Getting an appointment should not be a game of luck, and more needs to be done to ensure that everyone who needs to be seen, is seen as soon as possible.

Many people have also asked me about the future of the Surgery at Leybourne Chase, and I am working hard to ensure that it is put to good use serving our community as soon as possible.